The raging sea is taking its toll on Chellanam panchayat. According to the residents, the sea has turned violent over the past few days making life in coastal areas tough and miserable, proving that the precautionary measures taken by the administration and the government have almost failed. Of the 21 wards in the panchayat, 18 border the sea. Areas such as Companypadi, Ganapathikad, Vadekepalli and Chalakkadavu are worst affected. In Ganapathikad, around 30 houses near the coastal line are in bad shape. “A large number of people have moved to relief camps and to their relatives’ houses. Strong and violent waves enter our homes despite the so-called sea walls.
Houses have been badly damaged and so have the household articles and appliances. Some of the men opted to stay back to prevent household goods from being washed off. If we go, we will lose everything. We will be forced to build our life from scratch. It is unfortunate that the administrative machinery has totally failed in taking precautionary measures. Most of the elected representatives have not bothered to visit us,” said K G Varghese, a fish worker and resident of Ganapathikad.